Consumer group Which? has released findings from its 2023 survey comparing seat pitch and seat width on 12 major short-haul airlines operating from the UK. Seat pitch, the distance from one seat to the next in front, is used to gauge legroom.
Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, and KLM emerged as the most spacious airlines, offering seat pitches of 31-32 inches, 29-33 inches, and 30-32 inches respectively. At the lower end, Wizz Air and TUI provided only 28 inches of seat pitch, the least legroom among the carriers surveyed.
In terms of seat width, measured from armrest to armrest, most airlines offered around 17 inches. However, easyJet, TAP Portugal, and Lufthansa provided a slightly more generous 18 inches of elbow room.
The findings highlight variations in comfort across carriers, with budget airlines typically offering less space. Passengers who do not wish to pay extra for additional legroom may need to adjust expectations accordingly.
